Plastics are a problem! We have heard how passionate you—our valued customers and Owners—are about reducing the use of plastics at the Blue Hill Co-op. We are stepping up to bring you the products you are asking for, from the companies who share our collective vision for a plastic-free future. After all, the choices we make in our homes echo beyond our walls, shaping the planet, our communities, and the lives of future generations. We are thrilled to introduce a new brand committed to the goal of a future without single-use plastics: Blueland.
Blueland was founded when CEO and Co-Founder, Sarah Paiji Yoo, discovered that the water she used to mix her son’s formula was contaminated with microplastics. She set out to reduce her family’s plastic exposure, and from there Blueland was born—a company on a mission to create safe, sustainable alternatives to the plastic products we use in our homes every day. Blueland is committed to creating a higher standard of clean home products using materials and ingredients that are powerfully effective, safe-for-family, and planet friendly. They released their first plastic-free line of products on Earth Day, April 22, 2019 and, so far, the company has diverted over 1 billion single-use plastic bottles from landfills and oceans—and they’re just getting started. Most traditional cleaners are over 90% water and come packaged in single-use plastic containers. Blueland has reimagined this detrimental “norm” with concentrated, plastic-free cleaning tablets wrapped in compostable paper, made with certified clean, effective ingredients in an effort to keep microplastics out of our water and landfills.
Blueland is a company with a mission and holds itself to the highest parental and environmental standards, which includes ongoing and unbiased certifications from trusted third-party organizations. Some of these certifications include:
- Platinum Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, which certifies that they optimize every aspect of production to prioritize environmental and human health, meeting the global standards for safe, circular, and responsibly-made products.
- EPA Safer Choice certification: all Blueland products undergo EPA evaluation to meet Safer Choice criteria, ensuring safer chemical choices for families and the environment.
- Leaping Bunny (cruelty free) certification guarantees that they do not test on animals, partner with organizations that do, or contribute to animal cruelty in any way.
- Certified B Corporation is a designation that a business is meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability—Blueland was selected as a 2022 “Best for the World B-Corporation” for their environmental practices and initiatives to reduce the impact of everyday operations and preserve our planet’s resources for the future.
- Carbon Neutral since 2020 and Climate Neutral Certified since 2021.
None of Bluelands ingredients are on the EWG Unacceptable List or the Prop 65 Banned Ingredients List and all of their formulas are hypoallergenic, soy, nut, and gluten-free! Blueland does not offer antibacterial products, as the biocides that are often found in these types of cleansers do not meet their high standards for human and environmental health and safety. That being said, their hand soap does help wash away viruses and bacteria. While Blueland hand soaps don’t contain antibacterial agents, studies show that non-antibacterial hand soaps are just as effective at removing germs (ode to surfactant ingredients that reduce surface tension and effectively lift up bacteria and viruses from skin), provided proper hand washing techniques are being used. For good hygiene and effective germ control, doctors recommend washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. First, run your hands under warm water. Then add soap, and wash your hands together for 20 seconds, making sure to wash your palms, the backs of your hands and under your fingernails. Washing your hands with plain soap and water for 20 seconds allows the surfactants of the soap to work with the washing motion and break up bacteria and viruses. Finally, rinse your hands with warm water and dry with a clean towel or air dry.
The Blue Hill Co-op is using Blueland’s plastic-free, fragrance-free hand soap in our customer restrooms (and we encourage everyone to sample them!) and are now carrying their Hand Soap Starter Kit (containing a 9oz Glass Hand Soap dispenser and a fragrance-free foaming hand soap tablet), as well as their Fragrance-free Foaming Hand Soap Tablet Refills. Buy your bottle, fill it with warm water to the half-round symbol or line, drop in a tablet, replace the nozzle or pump, wait a few minutes for it to dissolve (no need to shake or stir), and get washing! **You are welcome to pair your own 9oz dispenser bottles with Blueland’s Hand Soap tablets, but be sure to use a foaming pump to achieve the ideal consistency!** Blueland’s high-quality products are designed to last you a lifetime and they offer free replacements for their pumps within 100 days of purchase, for customers located within the continental United States.
The average cost of chemical-laden foaming hand soaps sold in disposable bottles is $4, which is still more than the cost of Blueland’s (safe!) hand soap tablet refills. Instead of repeatedly purchasing new bottles, you can save costs and choose the more environmentally and family-friendly option by investing in a glass Forever Bottle and simply purchasing refills in the future.
What’s the big deal with plastics and why are microplastics a problem?
Microplastics are exactly what they sound like: tiny fragments of plastic less than five millimeters in size. When plastic isn’t properly recycled, it often ends up in landfills or gets dumped into the ocean. An estimated 14 billion pounds of trash—much of it plastic—enters the ocean each year. Over time, this plastic breaks down into smaller pieces. But because plastic isn’t biodegradable, it never fully disappears. Instead, it breaks apart into microplastics. And while they may be small, microplastics can lead to serious environmental and health problems.
A growing number of studies have revealed the presence of microplastics in various parts of the human body, raising urgent concerns about their potential health effects. Microplastics have been detected in human organs, including in the brain and in gastrointestinal tissues, indicating that they can cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier (University of New Mexico, 2024). They have also been detected in the lungs, bringing up concerns about the unknown short and long-term health effects of inhalation (Jenner et al., 2023). Italian researchers have detected microplastics in breast milk and placentas, raising concerns about infant exposure (Ragusa et al., Polymers, 2022). Finally, microplastics have also been found in human blood, suggesting constant internal exposure via food, drink, and air (Leslie et al., Environment International, 2022). Humans are not the only species at risk. The impact of the accumulation of microplastics in the environment and wildlife is just as concerning.
Microplastics can enter the body through three main pathways: inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Plastic fibers from textiles, household dust, and industrial pollution can become airborne. When inhaled, these particles may reach deep into the lungs and contribute to inflammation or respiratory problems. Indoor environments often have higher concentrations due to synthetic materials and poor ventilation. Microplastics have been detected in fruits, vegetables, seafood, and both bottled and tap water. Common sources include leaching from plastic water bottles, plastic contamination in seafood through bioaccumulation, and migration from plastic food packaging and microwaving in plastic containers. Repeated ingestion can lead to microplastic buildup in the gastrointestinal tract, which may disrupt gut health and digestion. Though less studied, there is emerging concern around microplastics entering the body through skin contact. Everyday use of plastic containers and cosmetics may expose skin to particles and chemical additives, like BPA. Some preliminary evidence suggests these substances could cause oxidative stress or disrupt hormonal balance if absorbed.
How can you reduce microplastic exposure?
Start by cutting back on single-use plastics like bottles, bags, and takeout containers! Here are some simple ways to reduce your exposure and environmental impact:
- Invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle
- Try swapping out plastic shopping bags for cloth shopping bags
- Use your own utensils for takeout
- Avoid heating food in plastic, even if it’s microwave-safe (use glass or ceramic instead to prevent microplastic leaching)
- Choose filtered tap water over bottled (which often contains higher concentrations of microplastics)
- Opt for clothing and textiles made from natural fibers like cotton or wool to reduce microplastic shedding in the wash
The growing body of research linking microplastics to potential health risks makes it clear: this is a huge environmental and human health issue. While scientists continue to study the long-term effects of microplastic exposure, we don’t have to wait to take action. Simple changes in how we eat, drink, shop, and store food can help reduce our daily contact with plastic particles. By being more mindful of our plastic use, we not only protect our own health but also contribute to a cleaner, safer planet for future generations.
Blueland’s Plastic-Free Living Blog
Sources:
Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water FDA’s Office of the Commissioner FDA, May 1, 2020
Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk
Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta
Microplastics and Oxidative Stress—Current Problems and Prospects
Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood
